24/08/2026
MANGILAG NORTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STRENGTHENS CRISIS READINESS AHEAD OF NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS SAFETY DRILL
In a proactive effort to bolster school safety and emergency preparedness, Mangilag Norte Elementary School convened a critical orientation meeting led by School Principal I, Mr. Rodel D. Briones. The session brought together key community stakeholders and school leaders, including representatives from the Barangay Police of Mangilag Norte headed by Mr. Alexander Gonzales with the support of the Barangay Captain Hon. Alfonso “Jojo” Semira, the SPTA President (Mr. Domingo Penaverde), a dedicated parent representative, and the School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (SDRRM)- Focal Person (Ms. Ladyline M. Barega).
The primary objective of the briefing was to align operational strategies and community coordination ahead of the upcoming National Simultaneous Safety Drill on Active Attack Incidents, tentatively scheduled for September 3, 2026, at 9:00 AM or in any date to be approved by the higher-up.
During the orientation, Mr. Briones emphasized that the upcoming drill aims to enhance the school’s capacity to handle active attack scenarios and similar security threats. The exercise will also allow school personnel and learners to practice essential protective actions, emergency communication procedures, lockdown protocols, and inter-agency coordination mechanisms in line with established Department of Education (DepEd) policies.
Crucially, school authorities stressed that the safety, well-being, and psychological protection of all participants remain the top priority. Conducted in a strictly controlled manner, the drill will not involve actual weapons, threats, or violent simulations, ensuring a trauma-free learning experience that builds confidence rather than fear.
To ensure a comprehensive and seamlessly executed response plan, the meeting also focused on multi-sectoral collaboration with local emergency units, including the local DRRM offices, external stakeholders, barangay police and health responders coming from the barangay health center.
Beyond executing standard lockdown measures, the orientation set the stage for identifying critical areas for continuous improvement.
Key stakeholders discussed evaluating current emergency communication systems, refining learner and personnel accounting procedures, enhancing accessibility for individuals with special needs, and establishing clear response protocols with local authorities to guarantee a secure environment for the entire Mangilag Norte learning community.
Photo Credit: Ms. Roselea Arenal
